Chemistry of PNA Peptide Nucleic Acid

1435 Words3 Pages

Abstract

For this report I chose to study PNA, or peptide nucleic acid, a biological polymer

that was related to the biomedical field of research. I was very interested in this

synthesized molecule because of its inimitable and remarkable properties, comparatively

to other nucleic acids such as the more commonly known DNA, or deoxyribonucleic

acid, and RNA, or ribonucleic acid. I also wanted to understand its uses and possible uses

in everyday life. My main goal was to learn about the structure, significance, and clinical

applications of PNA.

Essay

Imagine being able to solve problems such as cancer by just a few molecules.

Think of all of the lives that would be saved by this miracle molecule. Well, there may be

such a thing, and that too a polymer that is similar to DNA. This wonder-molecule is

called peptide nucleic acid, or PNA. PNAs can bind with high specificity to a selected

target in a gene sequence, so this makes them very significant, especially in the medicinal

and biotechnological perspectives. However, before learning how PNA is useful in that

way, it is crucial to learn about its properties and their meaning. Peptide nucleic acid is a

very special polymer that is unique in its characteristics, functions, and use in the modern

world.

3

Although PNA may not be a common household word,

it is quite familiar to molecular scientists all over the world. It

is a potent structural mimic of DNA with a pseudopeptide

backbone. This is

clearly shown by the image on the left, as the

central composition of both nucleic acids are

relatively analogous. The phosphodiester

backbone of DNA is replaced in PNA by a 2-

aminoethyl-glycine linkage. The structure of

the molecule itself is a glycine molecule with
...

... middle of paper ...

...nant Melanoma. 27 Oct. 2006. 29

July 2008 .

[5]: Mondhe, Madhav. Figure 2. Chemical Structure of PNA & DNA. [PNA binding to

DNA]. Digital image. Madhav Mondhe. 24 Oct. 2007. 29 July 2008

.

Pellestor, Franck. PRINS and PNA Technologies in Chromosomal Investigation. New

York: Nova Science, Incorporated, 2006.

[4]: Vocke, Eric, Everardo Macias, and Virginia Evans. PNA Triplex Ball and Stick.

Digital image. DNA Triplexes. 29 July 2008

gcntrl.html#location>.

[3]: Vocke, Eric, Everardo Macias, and Virginia Evans. PNA Triplex Black and White.

Digital image. DNA Triplexes. 29 July 2008

gcntrl.html#location>.

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